A minute later, the Queen was standing in front of me. Receptions are one of the few times that she doesn’t wear gloves, but she was holding a glass. Apparently, it’s to stop people trying to shake her hand. Well, it didn’t stop me. Instinctively, without thinking, I stuck my hand out to her. Cilla gave me a poke in the ribs, as if to say, ‘No!’ The Queen regarded me, and gave my hand the slightest brush with the tips of her fingers. I didn’t attempt a full-on bow, but I gave a very respectful nod.
